How Travel Kick-Started my Career

(Sorry guys, it’s an essay – but it’s a good essay! Happy reading!)

“Of all the interns that we’ve had so far, I still consider you the most intelligent. And with your very efficient work style I know you will do well in your life.” Innes Brunn.

Picture this, you’re freaking out as your dissertation is due marking the end of university days. The ripest of your class have secured graduate programmes, while you face the prospect of returning to your mindless receptionist job.

That was me.

At the time, I was faced with crippling fear and anxiety over being left behind while my peers started kick-ass graduate jobs. Feeling like a complete failure because I didn’t have one. And facing the timeless problems of – you need experience to get a job – but they won’t give you said job to gain experience.

So there I was, feeling really sorry for myself, when an advert popped up on Facebook for an Internship in China. I immediately knew this was something I HAD to do, especially as they offered internships in my chosen field of Marketing.

After an application, telephone interview and various months of mind-numbing ‘Good morning, How can I help you?’ I was ready to face the Asian persuasion.

Now I’m not going to dwell too much on my experience because it’s covered extensively in #TheDragonDiaries (which I highly recommend you read if you’re about to travel to China), but I know you’re waiting for me to give you the perfect excuse for your parents to let you travel this Summer, so read on.

Beijing was my city of choice for the one month internship, but there are further offerings for Shanghai and Shenzen. Why did I choose Beijing? Honestly, it was the most familiar meaning I’d actually heard of it, and it was the hot topic on everyone’s lips at the time as China was set to be the emerging economy – seemed like a smart move! And it was.

I’m not going to lie to you, I had a bit of a ‘what have I done?’ moment during the aeroplane ride when it actually dawned on me I was going to live and work in CHINA for TWO WHOLE MONTHS! Shit.

My momentary panic was short lived though as I spotted Terry and his CRCC Asia sign at the exit gate. One of the reasons I chose to travel with CRCC Asia was the huge support network they provide during your time in China.

Once placed in your fully-serviced apartment with your new roomies, a welcome pack is provided with your survival kit including a pre-loaded subway card, subway map, personalised business cards, sim card, schedule of social events and more. Oh, and some Ritz crackers for a taste of home.

The apartment was a little odd with snake print sofas and cartoon dog wallpaper but it was to be home, so I’d learn to love it.

Fun fact: The central heating is Government controlled and therefore switched off between March and November, so it got a little cold at night and that made it desperately hard to get out of bed in the mornings.

Photo caption: Apartment

Thanks for sticking with me, I’ll skip right to the part now where I start the first day of my internship.

Natooke

My ‘Boss’ was German-Born badass Ines Brunn, a champion bicycle trick artist with a Master’s Degree in Physics. Ines founded the Ines Bike Company Limited based on a passion for cycling becoming the only Chinese distributor for six world-wide brands that provided products for urban cycling. Natooke (where I was placed) is a separate retail branch of Ines Bike Company, and the first shop in China to build custom fixed-gear bicycles.

Daily commuteGiven that the ‘office’ was located in the Hutongs, I had a fully immersive experience in Chinese living. The subway ride was on whole approximately 45 minutes with two changeovers. Another fun fact: During rush hour the subway is about 100 times busier than the London underground, so much so that they have people employed to push you onto the train.

Photo caption: The Hutongs where the ‘office’ was based.

Projects
My first project was to design the appearance and structure for a website that best represented the company’s distribution side, and more specifically the Ines Bicycle Company Limited as a whole.

Working hours
Essentially I worked from 10am – 7pm, but because CRCC Asia hosted events in the evening I was able to leave around 6pm when these were running.

Photo caption: Natooke Store Front

Photo caption: Lunch with my work pals, not understanding a word that’s being said!

The Climax

Ok so enough already! How did this land me my dream career?

Well firstly, tell anyone that at 21 years old you up and left to work in China for two months and they’re bound to be impressed (mine was!). To employers, this shows guts and a get-up-and-go attitude that can’t be taught.

Secondly, when you’ve ridden the Beijing subway twice a day, every day, during rush hour, you can survive anything – that shit is terrifying!!

But really, it’s having the confidence to know that you can survive outside of your comfort zone, smash anything that’s thrown at you and know that whatever your situation is now, it isn’t the be-all-end-all. After all this, and probably a raging hunger for more travel, it’s that drive for MORE that’ll make you a success in whatever you do.

My new found confidence landed me my first Marketing position, because I knew I had what it took and I wasn’t afraid to take the chance.